Clan Macdonald of Clanranald - Clan Profile

Clan Profile

• Clan chief: Traditionally the chiefs of Clan Macdonald of Clanranald have been styled as "The Captain of Clanranald". The Highland or Gaelic designation of the chiefs of the clan is Mac Mhic Ailein. The current chief of the clan is Ranald Alexander Macdonald of Clanranald, who is the 24th Chief and Captain of Clanranald. The current chief's sloinneadh or pedigree is Ragnhaill Alasdair mac Coinneach Alasdair mhic Tearlach 'ic Raibheart 'ic Raibheart 'ic Cailein 'ic Alasdair 'ic Domhnaill 'ic Ragnhaill Og 'ic Ragnhaill 'ic Ailein 'ic Iain Muideartach 'ic Alasdair 'ic Ailein 'ic Ruairidh 'ic Ailein 'ic Ragnhaill 'ic Eoin 'ic Aonghais Og 'ic Aonghais Mhor 'ic Domhnaill 'ic Ragnhaill 'ic Somhairle.
• Chiefly arms: The current chief's coat of arms is blazoned: quarterly, 1st, argent, a lion rampant gules, armed Or; 2nd, Or, a dexter hand couped in fess holding a cross-crosslet fitchee in pale all gules; 3rd, Or, a lymphad her oars saltireways sable, and in base undy vert a salmon naiant argent; 4th, argent, an oak tree vert surmounted of an eagle displayed Or. Above the shield is placed a chapeau azure furred ermine and theron an helm befitting his degree with a mantling gules doubled Or, and on a wreath of these liveries argent and gules is set for crest a triple-towered castle argent, masoned sable and issuing from the centre tower a dexter arm in armour embowed grasping a sword all proper, and in an Escrol over the same this motto "my hope is constant in thee". On a compartment whereon is this word "dh'aindeoin co theireadhe e" are placed for Supporters two bears each having two arrows pierced through his body all proper. The chief's heraldic standard is blazoned: the arms of Macdonald of Clanranald in the hoist and of two tracts argent and gules, upon which is depicted the crest in the first and second compartments, and two sprigs of common heather in the third compartment, along with the motto "dh' aindeòin cò theireadh e'" in letters gules upon two transverse bands argent. The chief's slogan of dh' aindeòin cò theireadh e has been translated from Scottish Gaelic as "gainsay who dare", and "in spite of all opposition".
• Clan member's crest badge: The crest badge suitable for members of the clan contains the chief's heraldic crest and motto. The crest is: A triple-towered castle Argent masoned Sable, and issuing from the centre tower a dexter arm in armour embowed grasping a sword all Proper. The motto is MY HOPE IS CONSTANT IN THEE.
• Clan badge: The clan badge or plant badge attributed to the clan is common heath. This plant is attributed to the other Macdonald clans and some other associated clans such as Clan MacIntyre and the Macqueens of Skye.
• Pipe music: The bagpipe tune Spaidsearachd Mhic Mhic Ailein (translation from Scottish Gaelic: "Clanranald's March") has been attributed to the clan, as well as Failte Clann Raounil and the Cruinneachadh (or Gathering).
• Tartan: A tartan was attributed to the clan in the Sobieski Stuarts' collection of tartans known as the Vestiarium Scoticum, published in 1842. Today the Vestiarium is considered a hoax, yet many of the forged tartans within exist today as clan tartans.